Winners and losers of the 2026 World Cup: Kylian Mbappe’s record-breaking tournament and Thomas Tuchel’s tactics feature.
Winner: Vozinha – Cape Verde
If someone had told Vozinha before the World Cup that he would leave the tournament as the most-followed goalkeeper in football, he’d have sent you to a shrink.
Making the World Cup was a monumental achievement for Cape Verde and its veteran goalkeeper, but their progress to the knockout rounds and Vozinha’s outward passion captivated the entire audience. More than 29million people now follow the 40-year-old, who is currently a free agent, on Instagram.
At 40 years old, Vozinha has lived the dream at this World Cup ❤️
🧤 7 saves against Spain
🧤 8 saves against Argentina
🐐 Played against Lionel Messi
📈 Gained 29 million Instagram followers
🤝 Shared the pitch with the likes of Cafu, David Trezeguet and John Terry in a legends… pic.twitter.com/LxKRsB1RoL— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) July 19, 2026
Loser: Roberto Martinez – Portugal
Will Roberto Martinez be remembered as the man who squandered two Golden Generations in international football?
The ex-Everton boss failed to turn Belgium’s cast of elite talent into a trophy-winning team, and has similarly struggled with Portugal. He arrived at the tournament with a midfield comprising back-to-back Champions League winners Joao Neves and Vitinha, and the Premier League Player of the Season Bruno Fernandes. Portugal, however, bowed out early after an unconvincing campaign.
Winner: Rodri – Spain
The question marks about whether Rodri could ever recover his best after ACL surgery are over. Rodri had a mixed campaign at club level with Manchester City, but was back to his best this summer as Spain sealed World Cup success.
The 30-year-old led the tournament for passes and was the authoritative leader of the eventual winners. He’s become only the seventh footballer to win a World Cup, continental title, Champions League, and Ballon d’Or, while he’s claimed the Player of the Tournament prize in those first three successes.
Rodri completed 756 passes from his 811 attempted at the 2026 World cup (93.22%)
That’s the most passes by a player in a single World Cup in recorded history. 🎯 https://t.co/vNFJwAi6ou pic.twitter.com/N4hzz3LYDP
— Squawka (@Squawka) July 20, 2026
Loser: Turkey
Talked up as potential dark horses before a ball had been kicked, Turkey finished bottom of one of the most straightforward-looking groups in the tournament. Despite boasting Kenan Yildiz, Arda Guler and Hakan Calhanoglu, Turkey crashed out after losing to Australia and Paraguay.
Winner: Lionel Messi – Argentian
Lionel Messi wasn’t a winner on the final day, but this summer has added another chapter to his greatness. At 39, he took an average Argentina on his back to make a personal, record-equalling third World Cup final appearance.
Messi’s eight goals and four assists earned him the Silver Boot and Silver Ball awards, and this was the most productive World Cup of his career.
Loser: Asia
An expanded World Cup brought opportunities for more nations than ever before, with almost every confederation benefiting with stories of success.
All, it appears, except for Asia. There were nine Asian teams at the tournament, who combined won only 10% of their fixtures. Only Japan and Australia progressed, with Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Uzbekistan all finishing bottom of their groups.
Winner: Kylian Mbappe – France
France fell short in the semi-finals, but Kylian Mbappe has immortalised himself this summer. The 27-year-old became only the fourth footballer to score 10 goals in a single edition of the World Cup and the first for 56 years.
In the process, he made history as the first player to win multiple World Cup Golden Boots and overtook Lionel Messi to become the tournament’s all-time record scorer. He might still have a couple more World Cups in him to add to that record.
Mbappé fires his way to the adidas Golden Boot 🔥@adidasfootball pic.twitter.com/B7czVjLCCU
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 20, 2026
Loser: Thomas Tuchel – England
Thomas Tuchel has just led England to their best-ever World Cup finish on foreign soil, and the Three Lions’ best performance since winning the World Cup in 1966. At surface level, some would suggest a job well done, but the manner of England’s exit to Argentina has placed the German under scrutiny.
England surrendered a late lead in the semi-finals, following a negative backs-to-the-wall bid to hold on. The Three Lions had only 12% of the possession following Anthony Gordon’s opening goal, inviting wave after wave of attack before eventually crumbling. Tuchel’s tactics have put him under pressure ahead of Euro 2028.
𝐓𝐔𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐋 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐒 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄: “𝐍𝐎 𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐒” 🏴💔 pic.twitter.com/APS1qp5MIq
— The Football Faithful (@FootyFaithful_) July 16, 2026
An uber-exciting bronze final win has alleviated that somewhat.
Winner: Morocco
Unquestionably Africa’s best football nation right now. Morocco impressed in the group stage to progress with relative ease, with Ismael Saibari and Ayyoub Bouaddi emerging as breakout stars.
The Atlas Lions did see their run ended by France in the quarter-finals, but successive World Cups in the latter stages, sandwiched between AFCON success, has made this a golden era for the North Africans.
Loser: Julian Nagelsmann – Germany
Germany’s woeful recent record in World Cup tournaments continued this summer, as the four-time winners crashed out in a last-32 upset. Germany’s last three World Cups have now ended in two group-stage exits and a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay, a fall from grace for a traditional powerhouse.
Julian Nagelsmann’s failure to bring success has seen his tenure ended, with the 38-year-old now seeking a new challenge to restore his reputation.
Read – Our 2026 World Cup Team of the Tournament
See more – Spain secure second World Cup crown after extra-time win over Argentina
